North Leamington and Kenilworth School named as top comprehensive secondary schools in the Sunday Times regional list

The UK’s highest-achieving primary and secondary schools have been revealed in the 33rd edition of guide, which was published online today (Friday December 5) and will be available in print in a 28-page supplement on Sunday (December 7).

King Edward VI School in Stratford won State Secondary School of the Year in the West Midlands and State Secondary School of the Year for Academic Excellence in the West Midlands.

However within the Warwick district, three schools made the guide within the top 10 lists for the region – with Kenilworth, Warwick and Leamington each scooping a ranking.

Recognised as the definitive ranking of the UK’s top primary and secondary state and independent schools, the Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2026 remains an essential resource for parents seeking the very best in education for their children.

Warwick district results

Three schools in our area were listed in various top 10 lists within the guide.

Top comprehensive secondary schools in the West Midlands:

• North Leamington School came in at third place regionally and was listed as number 222 in the ranking nationally
• Kenilworth School was listed in fourth place regionally and 230 nationally

Top secondary independent schools in the West Midlands:

Warwick School was ranked in fifth place regionally and 117 nationally.

Other Warwickshire successes

St Mary’s RC Primary School, Henley-in-Arden, won the Small Primary School of the Year 2026, while Rugby High School was tenthon the list of best state secondary schools in the West Midlands.

Methodology

Schools are ranked by performance at A-level and GCSE in summer 2025.

The number of A*, A and B grades gained are expressed as a percentage of the total number of A-level entries overall. This is double-weighted. The number of 9, 8, 7 grades gained at GCSE is expressed as a percentage of the total number of GCSE entries overall. We include IGCSEs sat in independent schools. This is single-weighted.

School rankings are based on their combined performance in these examinations.

If a school does not appear in the league table The Sunday Times said it is “most likely because they did not respond to our requests for its A-level and GCSE results, and the results could not be found in the public domain.”

Helen Davies, editor of The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide, said: “The educational landscape is testing – budget challenges, rising student mental health issues, special educational needs and an increasingly uncertain future.

"But there is also so much to celebrate from the dedication of teachers who are finding ever more innovative and impactful ways to enrich their students and give them the very best start in life.

“As well as celebrating the academic excellence of the top schools it is uplifting to see how they are shaping their students to be ready for the 21st century, and instilling a lifelong love of learning.”

For more information or for the full list go to: https://www.thetimes.com/best-schools-league-table/secondary/article/secondary-schools-revealed-2026-g9w9n8rqw